L. Michael White

Interests

Biography

L. Michael White is the Ronald Nelson Smith Chair in Classics and Religious Studies and is Director of the Institute for the Study of Antiquity and Christian Origins (ISAC).  Prof. White received his Ph.D. from the Department of Religious Studies at Yale University.  Prior to coming to UT-Austin, he was Chair of the Department of Religion at Oberlin College. 

A specialist in religions of the Roman Empire, his particular focus is on the social context of Jews and Christians in the Greco-Roman world.  He served as consultant and co-writer, as well as featured in, two PBS/Frontline documentaries: “From Jesus To Christ: The First Christians”, which resulted in a major book, and “Apocalypse! Time, History, and Revolution”.  His newest book, Scripting Jesus: The Gospels in Rewrite, was published in May 2010 by Harper Collins.  Other publications include The Social Origins of Christian Architecture and Building God’s House in the Roman World: Architectural Adaptation among Pagans, Jews, and Christians.  Prof. White is also Project Director of the Ostia Synagogue Area Excavations (OSMAP), an archaeological field project to reevaluate the area around the ancient synagogue of Ostia Antica, the port city of classical Rome.